Covid-19 headlines for Friday, May 8, 2020:
• Pa. extends stay-at-home order, eviction moratorium: Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to announce today the next set of counties that can move to the "yellow phase" of limited reopening. There are 24 scheduled to do so at noon today, all in the state's north and northwest. (Source: PennLive) Meanwhile, Wolf extended Pennsylvania's foreclosure and eviction moratorium to July 10. (Source: WGAL)
• The latest on Lancaster County unemployment: Another 2,000 county workers filed for unemployment, but an unknown number returned to their jobs with the resumption of construction activity. The changes leave the net local unemployment rate unknown, but it's likely around 20%. (Source: LNP)
• County hires firm to disinfect nursing homes: The Covid-19 deep-cleaning by Environmental Hazards Control Associates will be paid for with funds from the federal CARES Act. (Source: ABC 27)
• National roundup: The U.S. unemployment rate is now 14.8%. (Source: NBC News) The federal government paid private contractors $660 million to build Covid-19 field hospitals, but most haven't treated a single patient. (Source: NPR) The IRS says stimulus payments sent by mistake to people who are dead or in prison should be returned. (Source: U.S. News) Store workers are struggling to make shoppers obey Covid-19 safety rules. (Source: AP)
